Trolley conductor device



Oct. 10, 1950 R, p, HANNA ETAL 2,525,484 TROLLEY CONDUCTOR DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 30, 1946 x T 4 E Z m o m m WWW. Z 0% ww Qm \w QWNNW W \w w Wm Mb \hxwwm m M R. P. HANNA ETAL 'I ROLLEY CONDUCTOR DEVICE Oct. 10, 1950 s Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. :50, 1946 @wgsszs:

Oct. 10,1950 R. P. HANNA ET AL 2,525,484

TROLLEY CONDUCTOR DEVICE Filed Aug.. 30. 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 huh P w WITNESSES Patented Oct. 10, 1950 i TROLLEY CONDUCTOR DEVICE Raymond P. Hanna and Leland F. Brahmer, Wilkinsburg, Pa., assignors to Westinghouse Electric Corporation, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application August 30, 1946, Serial No. 693,934

16 Claims. (Cl. 191--37) Our invention relates, generally, to trolley conductor devices and it has reference in particular to insulated crossing devices for trolley conductors.

Generally stated, it is an object of our inven tion to provide an improved trolley conductor device that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and is easy to install.

More specifically, it is an object of our invention to provide an insulated trolley conductor crossing which may be'readily installed in connection with continuous trolley conductors.

It is also an important object of our invention to provide for utilizing spaced tension and compression members'in an insulated trolley conductor device.

Another object of our invention is to provide a light and durable adjustable trolley conductor crossing.

Yet another object of our invention is to provide an insulated trolley conductor crossing in which spaced tension and compression members of different lengths may be used so as'to provide insulated crossings of different lengths:

' It is an important object of our invention to provide forusing a tubular compression member in an insulated trolley conductor crossing a so that one of the conductors may be positioned therein.

Still another object of our invention is to provide for securing an insulated runner member to a trolley conductor'device by means'of a renevvable metallic runner member adjacent thereto. I

Another important object of our invention is to provide'a detachable approach member having a trolle conductor device which may be arranged in clamped relation with the device and the trolley conductor. l A further object of our invention is to provide a trolley conductor device for attachment to a conductor and having preformed lip portions positioned around the conductor so that no peening operation is necessary after-the installation of the device.

- It is also an important object of our invention to provide for using a pair of spaced compression members in aninsulated trolley conductor device so that the conductor may be positioned therebetween. 1

It is also a further object of our invention to provide a trolley conductor device having com plementary clamp portions positioned on opposite sides of the conductor and arranged topartially enclose the conductor to provide a smooth surface for guiding acurrent collector therealong.

2 Other objects will in part be obvious, and will in part be explainedhereinafter. 1 In one embodiment of our invention an in sulated device having spaced end members con nected by vertically spaced tension and.compres-.

sion members, may be used for providing an :in;

sulated adjustable crossing. ber'comprises an insulating member connecting the end members adjacent the normal'plane'of the trolley conductor. The compression member comprises" a suitable length of pipe positioned between the upper ends of the end members and is provided with a longitudinal slot for receiving one of the conductors which is positioned in upwardly inclined openings in the end members. A bearing for a supporting a crossing member is secured to the insulating tension member; Insulated runner members are positioned intermediate the end members and the bearing mem-. her by means of renewable runner portions which are secured to the end members. The runner members comprise opposed clamp portions having depending lips which are preformed .so' as to partially enclose the conductor, and are secured in clamped relation with the conductor to provide a smooth approach for a current collector. I For a more complete understanding of thenature and scope of our invention, reference may be made to the following detailed'description, which may be studied in connection with the ac.-,- companying drawings in which: K

Figure 1 is a partially broken away plan view of an adjustable insulated crossing embodying the invention in one of its forms; Fig. 2.is"an enlarged partial side elevationa view of the crossing shown in Fig. 1, broken away in, part; Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line III-III of Fig. 2;

- Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line IV- -IV of Fig. 2 Fig. 5 is, an enlarged sectional view taken along the line V-V of Fig.2;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line VI-VI of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a partially sectioned enlarged side elevation view of the bearing support and adjustable crossing member;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged plan view broken away in partof the bearing support and crossing meme ber; I v

Fig. 9 is an enlarged partial side elevational View of an adjustable crossing showing another modification of the invention;

' Fig-l0 is a sectional view,

taken along The tension. mem

3 line X-X of Fig. 9 with a current collector shoe shown in dotted outline.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged partial plan view of an insulated crossing embodying a modification of the invention;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged partial side elevational view of the crossing of Fig. 11; and

Fig. 13 is a sectional view along the line XIII-XIII of Fig. 12.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1. and 2, the reference numeral I8 may denote generall an insulated adjustable trolley conductor crossing device having spaced end members II and I2 which are maintained in spaced relation by means of an elongated compression member I4 and insulated tension members I6 and I1 which may be connected between the end members and a bearing support 28 for an adjustable crossing member 2|.

The end members II and I2, which may be substantially identical, may as shown in Figs. 1 through 4 comprise metallic members having upwardly inclined open conductor channels 22 for receiving a principal continuous trolley conductor (shown only in dotted outlinein-Figs. 3,

r 4 and and which terminate in sockets 23-adjacent the upper. ends for receiving the compression member I4. A depending web 24 may be provided on the lower side of the end member for positioning a substantially U-shaped renewable runner member 25. The runner member may be provided with upstanding ears 26 at one end and laterally projecting lugs 21 at the other end for securing it to the end member. Means such as the spaced ears 26 may be providedon the end members for cooperating with eye bolts 29 to connect the tension members I6 thereto. Brackets 30 may be provided on the sides 0f;the end members in association with the lugs 21 of the runner member, and projecting end portions 32 may b provided inassociation with theears 26 and a bolt 3| for securing the renewable runner member 21 in operating relation to-the end member.

The bearing support 28 may be either secured to a continuous tension member extending'between the end members II and I2'or. may, as shown in Figs. 2, 6, '7 and'8, comprise a central web 33 having clevices 34 and 35 adjacent the ends for effecting connection by means of pins I 36 to eye-bolts 29 at the ends of the tension mem bers I6 and I1. Transverse ears 38 may be provided on the web 33 adjacent the clevices 3.4 and 35 for cooperating with brackets 39 to secure metallic guides or approach-es 40 to the bearing support. The guides 40 may each be provided with a recess 4| for receiving reduced extension 42 on one end of the insulating runner member 43, while an overhanging projection 45 may be provided adjacent the other end for securing a circular bearing plate 41 0f the crossing member 22 in operating relation to the bearing support '26. The bearing plate 41 may be provided with projecting channeled runner portions 48 for receiving a continuous intersecting trolley conductor and for guiding a current collector across the crossing device. Suitable approach members such as the approach member 49 may be secured to the runner portions 48, being for example, hooked to a clevis wire retaining member 56. An elongated opening 5I may be provided in the web :3 for receiving the intersecting trolley conduc- In order toprovide for a continuous trolley conductor, retainin means may be utili ed; in

conjunction with the end members II and I2 comprising, for example, a depending central web 52 for engaging a trolley conductor to depress it into the conductor channel 22, and a transverse flange 53 for receiving bolts 54 which may be mounted in ears or brackets 55 on opposite sides of the end members. Approach members 49 may also be connected to the crossing device adjacent the ends being, for example, secured by hook tioned about the compression member I4, hav

ing a slot 63 for positioning the conductor in the. opening 66 of the'compression member.

In installing the crossing device, the compression member I4 may be rotated in the sockets 23 so that the opening M is aligned with the conductor channels 22 in the end members II and I2. be positioned in the compression member which may then be rotated in the sockets 23 so that'the slot 6| is on the lower side, and the upper side presents a solid surface. The conductor-may then be depressed in the conductor channels 22 and secured by the retaining means; whereupon the approaches 49 may be installed; The intersecting or crossing trolley conductor may be'positioned in the channeled crossing runner members 48 whereupon the crossing member may be positioned against the lower side of the bearing support 20, and secured in operating. relation by attaching the approach members 46.

Referring to Figs. 9 and 10, it will beseen that instead of using renewable runner members 21 and approach members 49 in conjunction with the end members II and I2, unitary approach and runner members may be provided which may be positioned about both the trolley'conductor and the lower portion of the end member 66, which may be substantially identical with the end members II and I2, except that the end pro ections 32 may, if desired, be removed.

The approach 65 may comprise opposed clamping portions 61 and 68 which may be positioned on opposite sides of a trolley conductor and of the depending web 69 of the end member 66, which corresponds to the web 25 of the end member II and I2. The opposing portions 61 and 68 of approach 65 may be provided with depending lips 16 and 1| which may be preformed to provide a central opening 12 for receiving a trolley conductor. Means such as the transverse bolt 14 may be provided for effecting clamping en gagement of the complementary portions 61 and 68 of the approach with the trolley conductor as well as with the depending web 69 of the end member 66 for securing the approach in operating relation. The depending lips 18 and 1! may be of gradually decreasing depth and thickness adjacent the outer end so as to provide a tapering contact surface 15 for efifecting gradual transfer of a current collector from the trolley conductor to the approach.

The complementary portion 6'! and 68 may be separated or may be integral at one end bein The principal trolley conductor may then' for example, separated along the upper sides and joined along the lower side. They may be separated for at least a portion of their length by means of a longitudinal slot 18, so that they may be readily positioned about the trolley conductor. Transverse flanges 19 may be provided adjacent the other ends of the approaches for securing the approach more firmly to the end member in conjunction with lugs 89 on opposite sides of the end members. Recesses 8| may be provided adjacent the inner ends of the approaches for receiving the reduced extensions 82 on the ends of the insulating runner members 43, for securing them in operating relation.

Referring to Figures 11, 12 and 13, it will be seen that in a modification of the invention the adjustable insulated trolley crossing 9|] may comprise a crossing member 21 similar to that used in the crossing of Figures 1 through 10, and which may be supported from a continuous insulating tension member 92 which may be connected between spaced metallic end members, such as the end member 93. The end members may be provided with horizontal spaced compression members 94 which may be interposed between the end members above the tension member.

The end member 93 may comprise an upwardly inclined open channel portion 95 having a depending central web 95 on the lower side for positioning a substantially ueshaped runner member 91. The runnermember may be'secured to the end member by means of upwardly projecting ears 98 and 99 in conjunction with through bolts I88 and Ill], respectively. Adjacent their inner ends, the end members 93 may be provided with spaced flanges m3 for receiving the ends of the tension member 92. Means, such as the bolts IE4, may be used to secure the tension member between the flanges. Adjacent their other ends, the end member 93 may be provided with wire retaining means comprising a transverse fiange l @5 for securing the retaining means to the end member and a depending central web N18 for depressing a continuous trolley conductor into the channel 95. A clevis It! may be provided on the wire retaining means for engaging hook means 988 on a detachable approach member ill!) for providing a smooth approach for a current collector.

In order to support the crossing member 2!, means, such as the bearing support members I It), may be secured to the tension member 92 intermediate its ends. The bearing support members may, for example, comprise plate portions H2 which may be secured to the tension member by means of bolts l l3 and angularly related bearing portions H5 which project laterally to provide a guide for the channel-shaped runner portions 48 of the crossing member 2E. The crossing member may be retained in operating relation with the bearing members He by means of detachable guide members H? which may be detachably secured to the tension member 92 by means of upwardly projecting ears H8 and through bolts H9. Insulated runners l2!) may be positioned along the lower side of the tension member 92 being, for example, positioned by means of end projections l2l which may be engaged by the removable runner member $27 and the guide member I ii. A channel shaped insulating member lie may be secured along the upper side of the tension member 92 for receiving a continuous trolley conductor (not shown) so as to isolate it from the bearing support members Ill); I

Instead of using a single compression member between the end members 93, a pair of horizontally shaped compression members 94 may be used, so as to provide for running a continuous trolley conductor along the top of the tension member 92 in the space between the compression members. The compression members 94 may, for example, comprise suitable lengths of pipe having a layer of insulating material I26 positioned thereon. The compression members 94 may be positioned between the end members 93, by securing them to transverse brackets 12? which project laterally from the end members adjacent the upper edge. Bolts I28 may be used to secure the compression members 94 to the brackets I21.

From the above described construction and the accompanying drawings, it will be apparent that we have provided an insulated adjustable crossing which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and is easy to install. By utilizing a construction embodying spaced tension and compression members, insulated crossings of many difierent lengths may be readily provided since only the tension and compression members need be of different length for different lengths of crossing devices. This construction, therefore, provides an extremely flexible design which may be readily adapted to numerous operating conditions. By providing for positioning the trolley conductors in the manner described, installation of the crossing device is greatly facilitated, and a light weight yet mechanically strong construction is provided. By utilizing approach members of the clamp type, a smooth approach may be provided without requiring a peening operation after the approach has been installed as is the case with the usual type of approach. This means that the preformed lip construction provides extremely smooth contact surface which afiords a minimum of abrasion to current collectors, and greatly increases the operating life of collector devices, particularly those of the carbon shoe type which are especially affected by abrupt or rough surfaces.

Since certain changes may be made in the above described construction, and different embodiments'of the invention may be made without departing from the spirit or scope thereof, it is intended that all of the matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings, shall be considered as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

We claim as our invention:

1. In a trolley conductor device, a pair of spaced end members having means for securing a continuous conductor and raising it above a normal level intermediate said members, spaced tension and compression members connecting the end members adjacent the normal level of the conductor and adjacent the ends of the end members remote from the normal conductor level, respectively, the compression member having its longitudinal axis above the raised portion of the trolley conductor and an insulating runner positioned between the end members to guide a current collector.

2. A trolley conductor device for use with a continuous conductor comprising, a pair of spaced end members having upwardly inclined open channels to receive the conductor, tension means connecting the end members adjacent the normal level of the conductor, an insulated runner positioned between the end members in substantially the normal conductor level, and a compression member interposed between the end members above the tension member having a recess to receive the conductor and position it below the longitudinal axis of the compression member.

3; A trolley conductor device comprising, a pair of spaced apart metallic end members having upwardly inclined open channels for receiving a continuous trolley conductor and terminating in sockets above the normal level of the conductor, an insulating tension member connected between the end members relatively close to the normal level of the conductor, insulating runner means extending between the end members in substantially the normal level of the conductor, and a tubular compression member having end portions rotatably positioned in the sockets of the end members and provided with a longitudinal slot in one side to receive the trolley conductor.

4. In an insulator device for a continuous trolley conductor, a pair of spaced apart end members having upwardly inclined open channels on their remote edges to receive the conductor and oppositely threaded sockets at the upper ends of the channels on the adjacent edges, means securing the conductor in said channels, an insulated tension member connecting the end members adjacent the normal level of the conductor, insulated runner means positioned below the tension member in substantially the normal level of the conductor, and a tubular tension member having oppositely threaded end portions fitting in said sockets and having an opening in one side to receive the conductor.

5. An insulator device comprising, spaced end members having upwardly sloping open channels on the remote edges terminating in sockets at the upper ends of the adjacent sides, a tubular com pression member extending between the sockets and having an openin in one side to receive a continuous conductor, insulating means rotatably positioned on the compression member and provided with a longitudinal conductor slot, insulating tension means connecting the end members intermediate the compression member and the normal level of the conductor, and insulating runner means positioned between the end members in substantially the normal level or" the conductor.

6. An insulated crossing comprising, a pair of spaced apart end members, a support for a crossing member, tension means pivotally connected between the end members and the support to position the support intermediate the end. members, compression means interposed between the end members above and in spaced relation to the tension means and support, and insulating runner means interposed between the support and the end members beneath the tension means.

'7, In an insulated crossing, in combination, a pair of spaced apart metallic end members having upwardly inclined open channels to receive a continuous conductor, compression means interposed between the end members above the normal level of the conductor, insulating support means disposed to position the conductor below the longitudinal axis of the compression means, said support means having a recess arranged to receive the conductor, means depressing the conductor in the open channels, a support for a crossing member position intermediate the 0nd members, tension means connecting the support.

to the end members adjacent the normal level of the conductor, and runner members positioned intermediate the end members and the support in substantially the normal level of the conductor.

8. An insulated crossing comprising, a pair of metallic end members having runner portions along the lower edge to guide a current collector and having upwardly inclined open channels to receive a conductor terminating in sockets adjacent the upper end of adjacent edges, a tubular compression member extending between the sockets and having a slot on one side to receive the conductor, a tubular insulatin member rotatably positioned about the compression member and provided with a slot to receive :he conductor, a support for a crossing member, tension means connecting the end members intermediate the compression member and the normal level of the conductor and positioning the crossing support intermediate the end members, and insulated runner members interposed between the end members and the crossing support in sub- I stantially the normal level of the conductor.

9. A trolley conductor device comprising, end means secured to a trolley conductor and arranged to elevate the conductor above its normal level for a predetermined distance; tension and compression members connecting the end means in vertically spaced relation, insulating means arranged to position the trolley conductor intermediate the tension and compression members for a portion of said distance, and runner means positioned intermediate the end means of the ranged to secure the insulating runner means to the device.

11. A trolley conductor device comprising, spaced end members, insulating runner means extending between the end members, and means securing the insulating runner means including longitudinally split elongated runner means positioned in clamping relation about the conductor and lower edges of the end members.

12. A renewable approach member for use with a trolley conductor device comprising, a pair of opposed sections having depending lips defining a central groove for a trolley conductor, said lips being of gradually less depth toward the end remote from the device, and adjustable clamping means operable to effect clamping engagement of said sections to clamp the conductor andan integral end portion of said device between said sections.

13. An approach device for use with a round trolley conductor and a trolley conductor device comprising, elongated opposed bodyportions disposed to be positioned on, opposite sides of a portion of the trolley conductor device and having depending inwardly turned lips defining a central groove for the conductor, said lips being of gradually, decreasing depth and thickness toward the ends of the body portions, and transverse means operable to efiect clamping engagement of the sections with the conductor and the lportion of the trolley conductor device positioned therebetween.

14. A trolley conductor device comprising, spaced end members, an elongated tension member connecting the end members adjacent their lower sides, a pair of horizontally spaced compression members positioned between the end members adjacent their upper sides, and insulating means intermediate the end members to position a trolley conductor between the longitudinal axes of the tension and compression members.

15. A trolley conductor device comprising, a pair of spaced end members for attachment to a trolley conductor, an elongated tension member of insulating material connected between the end members adjacent the normal plane of the conductor, means secured to the tension member intermediate its ends for supporting a crossing member, a pair of horizontally spaced compression members connected between the end members above the longitudinal axis of the tension member, and a channel member intermediate the tension member and compression members to receive the trolley conductor.

16. An insulated trolley crossing comprising, a pair of spaced end members having upwardly inclined channels for positioning a trolley conductor and spaced longitudinal flanges on adjacent ends with transverse Webs adjacent the upper edges, an insulating tension member con- 7 nected between the spaced flanges, compression RAYMOND P. HANNA. LELAND F. BRAHMER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 673,176 Perry Apr. 30, 1901 1,461,780 Matthes July 1'7, 1923 1,563,455 Swars Dec. 1, 1925 2,221,581 Hanna Nov. 12, 1940 2,354,117 Hanna "nu-"luuly 1.8, 194; 

